Cinco slay: Execs’ bodyguards probed

The National Bureau of Investigation will cross-match the spent 9 mm shells recovered at the scene of the ambush of Commission on Elections information chief Velma Cinco with the guns issued to bodyguards of other Comelec officials.

This, after investigators said that most of the bodyguards of Comelec officials are armed with 9 mm pistols, the same gun caliber used by two unidentified gunmen in killing the 63-year-old Cinco at the corner of Eden and Pedro Gil Streets in Sta. Ana, Manila the other day. Manila police recovered four 9 mm spent shells from the crime scene.

Earlier, NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco hinted that Cinco’s murder could have been sparked by infighting in the Comelec.

Cinco was being driven by her son Carlo from their house to her work at about 8 a.m. aboard her red Kia car with plate number TDR-779 when their path was blocked by the suspects, who were aboard a motorcycle.

The suspects, whose faces were hidden by towels and dark sunglasses, immediately opened fire with pistols. Cinco was hit several times in the face and body. Her son Carlo, 37 sustained two bullet wounds in the left arm.

Velma’s 47-year-old sister, Marian Jayme, who was seated in the backseat was unhurt and later executed an affidavit before police. In her affidavit, Jayme said her mother received several threats from a certain "Director Matibag" of the Comelec. Former Comelec information chief Angelina Matibag later denied having any involvement with Cinco’s murder.

After shooting the victim, the suspects quickly sped towards Quirino Avenue.

Velma was rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital but was declared dead on arrival due to multiple bullets wounds in the body and head. Her son was rushed to the Philippine General Hospital for treatment of two bullet wounds in the left arm.

Comelec chair Alfredo Benipayo said that Cinco’s death was "job related." "We cannot discount this possibility. This could also be the work of professional killers. This also goes to show that there are people who want to disrupt the Comelec," said Benipayo. - Mike Frialde